# US 2021/0274994 A1 · Straw washer system, device, and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0274994 A1 - Document ID: US20210274994A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/809,517 - Filed: 2020-03-04 - Published: 2021-09-09 - Earliest claimed: 2020-03-04 - Inventors: Christopher Nathan Garcia - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210274994A1 ## CPC - A47L 15/0076: {of non-domestic use type, e.g. commercial dishwashers for bars, hotels, restaurants, canteens or hospitals (machines specially adapted for drinking glasses A47L15/0065; drawer-type dishwashers A47L15/0084; in-sink dishwashers A47L15/0086; miniature dishwashers A47L15/0089; conveyor-type dishwashers A47L15/24; machines with crockery cleaned by brushes A47L15/37)} - A47L 15/13: using sonic or ultrasonic waves - A47L 15/4225: {Arrangements or adaption of recirculation or discharge pumps} - A47L 15/4244: {Water-level measuring or regulating arrangements} - A47L 15/4285: {Water-heater arrangements (steam generating arrangements A47L15/4234)} - A47L 15/46: Devices for the automatic control of the different phases of cleaning {; Controlling devices (A47L15/449 takes precedence)} - A47L 15/501: {Baskets, e.g. for conveyor-type, in-sink type or hood-type machines} - A47G 21/18: Drinking straws or the like ({as integral parts of drinking containers A47G19/2266;} for therapeutic purposes A61J15/00 {; adapted to emerge from drinking containers when opened B65D77/283}) - A47L 2401/09: Water level - A47L 2501/16: Sterilisers - A47L 2601/17: Sonic or ultrasonic waves - A47L: DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING (brushes A46B; cleaning quantities of bottles or of other hollow articles of one kind B08B9/00; laundry D06F); SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL (cleaning in general B08) - A47G: HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT (book-ends A47B5/00; knives B26B) ## Abstract In embodiments, the invention includes a system, an apparatus, and a method for cleaning reusable straws. The system includes a chamber configured to contain a liquid, a siphon to drain the chamber, a transducer to deliver sonic energy to the chamber, and a plurality of straws disposed in the chamber. Each straw includes a tubular wall defining a lumen. The lumen has a length and a cross-sectional area, and the cross-sectional area is substantially constant over the length. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system comprising: a chamber configured to contain a liquid; a siphon configured to drain the chamber; a transducer configured to deliver sonic energy to the chamber; and a plurality of straws disposed in the chamber, each straw including a tubular wall defining a lumen, the lumen having a length and a cross-sectional area, the cross-sectional area substantially constant over the length. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising an inlet to add a liquid to the chamber to produce a fill level. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the siphon includes a siphon height, the siphon configured to drain a liquid from the chamber when the fill level exceeds the siphon height. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, further comprising a level sensor and a controller, the level sensor detecting when the fill level reaches a predetermined wash height, the controller operatively connected to the level sensor and to the transducer, the controller configured to drive the transducer when the level sensor indicates the fill level has attained the wash height. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein the controller is configured to drive the transducer in a frequency range of about 30 to about 50 kilohertz. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to drive the transducer through a swept frequency range of about 39 kilohertz to about 41 kilohertz. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, further comprising a wash liquid disposed in the chamber, the wash liquid comprising an aqueous dispersion of a detergent. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein the wash liquid includes an anionic detergent, a nonionic detergent, a phosphate-free detergent, an enzyme, or a combination of any of these. ### Claim 9 An apparatus comprising: a chamber; a basket removably positionable in the chamber and configured to support a plurality of straws; an inlet disposed to add a liquid to the chamber to produce a fill level; a drain outlet plumbed to the chamber; a level sensor configured to produce a signal when the fill level reaches a predetermined wash height; a transducer configured to deliver sonic energy to the chamber; and a controller operatively coupled to the inlet, to the level sensor, and to the transducer, the controller configured to drive the transducer and to alternately raise and lower the fill level. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the drain outlet comprises a siphon with a siphon height, the siphon configured to drain a liquid from the chamber when the fill level exceeds the siphon height. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the inlet includes a first valve operatively coupled to the controller, the first valve configured to disengage the inlet when the first valve is activated, wherein the controller is configured to activate the first valve when the level sensor produces the signal. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a dispenser and a reservoir, the dispenser plumbed between the chamber and the reservoir, and the dispenser operatively connected to the controller. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a heater disposed in contact with the chamber, the heater operatively connected to the controller. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) A method of cleaning straws comprising: mounting a plurality of reusable straws into the basket of the apparatus of claim 9; adding a wash liquid to the chamber; activating the apparatus. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the wash liquid includes a phosphate-free detergent. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the step of adding a wash liquid includes loading a prepackaged concentrate to the chamber and adding water to the chamber. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the step of activating the apparatus includes causing the controller to perform steps of ultrasonicating the wash liquid and of draining the chamber. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the step of activating the apparatus includes causing the controller to perform a step of sanitizing the chamber. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the step of activating the apparatus includes a plurality of substeps of draining and filling the chamber. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the drain outlet includes a siphon having a siphon height, and wherein the plurality of substeps of draining and filling the chamber includes adding a liquid via the inlet and draining the liquid when the fill level of the chamber exceeds the siphon height.